Shloka 4.25.31

वालिनः और्ध्वदैहिकम् — Vali’s Funeral Rites and the Consolation of the Bereaved

Devanagari script

राज्ञामृद्दिविशेषा हि दृश्यन्ते भुवि यादृशाः।तादृशैरिह कुर्वन्तु वानरा भर्तृसत्क्रियाम्4.25.31।।

Transliteration

rājñām ṛddhiviśeṣā hi dṛśyante bhuvi yādṛśāḥ |

tādṛśair iha kurvantu vānarā bhartṛsatkriyām || 4.25.31 ||

Translation

“As special royal honors are seen on earth for kings, so by such means let the monkeys here render due honor to their lord.”

Context

'Let the monkeys perform the funeral rites of our lord in an honourable way as expensively as has been done with regard to the obsequies of kings who ruled over this land.

Characters & Entities

• rājānaḥ (kings)
• vānarāḥ (monkeys)
• bhartṛ (lord/leader, i.e., Vāli)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is to render fitting honor according to rank and tradition—ritual respect maintains legitimacy, memory, and social cohesion.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugriva calls for Vāli’s obsequies to be performed with the same grandeur normally accorded to kings.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respect for tradition and rightful honor: the community is urged to uphold royal standards in funeral rites.